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Home > News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Seedlings of Hope Planted at Heaps Peak

Seedlings of Hope Planted at Heaps Peak

San Bernardino National Forest Association

By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Volunteers and community groups from throughout the mountaintop have every right to be proud of their accomplishments over the last two months. Over 4,500 Ponderosa Pine tree seedlings have been planted at Heaps Peak in a 50-acre area devastated by recent fires (off highway 18 between Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs).

The tree planting, which has been happening every weekend in April and into May, is part of the ongoing forest restoration efforts organized by the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA).

Over 4,500 Ponderosa Pine seedlings have been planted at Heaps Peak giving the forest restoration program a jump start. (Photo by Forest Association.)

"The area we are replanting burned in both the 2003 and 2007 fires so there are literally no live trees left to provide a seed source for future trees." explains SBNFA project manager Alison Bates. "Planting these seedlings gives the forest restoration process a much needed Jump Start."

Working in partnership with the US Forest Service, the SBNFA has had the participation of over 200 community members working at the various planting days. Volunteers have included the National Wild Turkey Hunting Club wanting to help restore turkey habitat; a softball team from Big Bear using the tree planting as part of a fund-raiser; mom's wanting to teach their kids the importance of giving back; community members effected by the fire; and the SBNFA's Children's Forest youth volunteers learning about forest health and restoration.

"We have been really encouraged by the level of participation from the community," continued Bates "I think planting trees is a real concrete way for people to feel like they are helping after the fires. It is hard work in often difficult conditions but it really gives everyone a sense of hope:"

The Heaps Peak Arboretum is located in Skyforest. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Planting for the year is now complete (the soil conditions and heat of summer become too harsh for further planting of young seedlings).

Effort has now shifted to growing seedling for future planting efforts at the Children's Forest Green House in Running Springs. Seeds were collected locally and are now being propagated in the green house as a local source of trees for next years planting projects.

"Propagating the seeds, transplanting along the way and growing them large enough to survive replanting in the forest is a huge undertaking but it is also very rewarding" says Bates "but we need still need help from any mountain green-thumbs"

In 1922, fire also devastated the site, leaving only blackened tree remnants. Six years later, the Lake Arrowhead Women's Club, headed by Mary Putnam Henck, organized the first planting of new trees.

Heaps Peak Arboretum is operated by the Rim of the World Interpretative Association and offers a unique arboretum and botanical garden with a diversity of native plants.

Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the SBNFA for information on how they can get involved. Call 909 382-2777 or visit http://www.sbnfa.com/seedlingsofhope.php for details on volunteering on donating to the Seedlings of Hope campaign.

The San Bernardino National Forest Association is the primary non-profit partner to the U.S. Forest Service, which operates six programs to care for the San Bernardino National Forest. The programs include Children's Forest, Big Bear Discovery Center, Off Highway Vehicle Outreach Education, Forest Care, Fire Lookout Hosts, and Wildfire Education Experience. For more information, or to help sponsor a program, please call Sarah Miggins at (909) 382-2796.

SBNFA Press Release

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